[Signing] Flames sign Zac Rinaldo (1 yr, 2-way, $700k AAV) UPD: waived

[Strange Brew]

Not really a fan of this player.

[ComixZone]

He’s on waivers today as well.

[Badgers Nose]

Does this mean DSP is gone? Or was he already cut?

[missed the cut yesterday]

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

Does this mean DSP is gone? Or was he already cut?

He was released yesterday or the day before I believe.

[Enoch Root]

The Flames need a player like this for that handful of games a year where you know it's going to be a war. And unlike some, he can skate.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

I saw signs of this happening early in camp, so no surprise for me. Good on him for earning a contract. That being said, I hope we have no need of his services this year, but it’s always good to have NHL experience ready to call up.

[schteve_d]

I don’t get it. I’ve said before that I don’t know much about his game and all I really know about him is some highlights I went and watched. He mostly seems to get his ass kicked from what I can tell. Can you ever really call a man that’s 5’10” and 185 lbs. a “nuclear deterrent”?

[Patek23]

I’m going to sound pretty dumb as such a long time follower of the NHL. But doesn’t two-way mean that the player is waiver exempt? Or does that only effect salary structure?

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Flaming Homer

I’m going to sound pretty dumb as such a long time follower of the NHL. But doesn’t two-way mean that the player is waiver exempt? Or does that only effect salary structure?

It only affects salary. One way really just means the same salary in the NHL or AHL. Two way means you make less when you’re sent down.

[AC]

Originally Posted by schteve_d

I don’t get it. I’ve said before that I don’t know much about his game and all I really know about him is some highlights I went and watched. He mostly seems to get his ass kicked from what I can tell. Can you ever really call a man that’s 5’10” and 185 lbs. a “nuclear deterrent”?

Yeah it's not his fighting that is the deterrent, but his speed, forecheck, and borderline hits.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Flaming Homer

I’m going to sound pretty dumb as such a long time follower of the NHL. But doesn’t two-way mean that the player is waiver exempt? Or does that only effect salary structure?

It's only related to the salary paid on the contract. A one-way contract pays the same whether the player is in the AHL or the NHL. A two-way contract pays less in the AHL than the NHL.

Waiver exemption only relates to the player's age and level of professional/NHL experience. Other factors play a role, but generally speaking, if a player isn't on an entry-level contract, he isn't waiver-exempt.

[Patek23]

Originally Posted by getbak

It's only related to the salary paid on the contract. A one-way contract pays the same whether the player is in the AHL or the NHL. A two-way contract pays less in the AHL than the NHL.

Waiver exemption only relates to the player's age and level of professional/NHL experience. Other factors play a role, but generally speaking, if a player isn't on an entry-level contract, he isn't waiver-exempt.

You’d think I’d of known this being a ( so I thought) die hard fan of 20+ years

[Mike F]

I hated him his whole career.

Now I will love him.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by devo22

maybe not a popular opinion now that he's signed, but I absolutely despise the type of game he represents and hoped they wouldn't sign him. Why they feel they have to sign a goon at this time of the year every season is beyond me, but alas, here we are.

He’s not a goon so much as he is a player that the other team’s goons go after. He plays on the edge and is forced to fight a lot, but he isn’t usually the guy instigating the fights.

He isn’t unlike a guy like Lucic without the scoring history.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by AC

Yeah it's not his fighting that is the deterrent, but his speed, forecheck, and borderline hits.

Let’s just get it out there: he is a cheap shot artist.

If we think you might take liberties with Johnny, and Lucic isn’t enough of a deterrent we have Zac.

“Hey Staal, if you want to skate in a straight line ever again, stop slashing Johnny’s wrists.”

Have I got that right?

[Cecil Terwilliger]

How does guaranteed money work if he’s got a 2 way deal? If he spends the whole year in the A, he still gets 225k? But then what’s the point of an AHL salary that’s lower?

[AC]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

Let’s just get it out there: he is a cheap shot artist.

If we think you might take liberties with Johnny, and Lucic isn’t enough of a deterrent we have Zac.

“Hey Staal, if you want to skate in a straight line ever again, stop slashing Johnny’s wrists.”

Have I got that right?

Historically, absolutely.

I hate to say it, but having a guy with that "screw loose" adds some value. Especially given this team's history of not sticking up for it's softer star players. I've said many times that I hate Rinaldo as a player, but I'm also comfortable with the signing based on his pre-season and what he can potentially add to this roster if needed.

It's a double standard for sure.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

How does guaranteed money work if he’s got a 2 way deal? If he spends the whole year in the A, he still gets 225k? But then what’s the point of an AHL salary that’s lower?

They can't actually promise that he'll spend some days up with the big club, but they are saying it with the guaranteed pay. He is essentially guaranteed to be paid for 26 days (out of 180) with the big club, even if he doesn't. Any more than 26 days is gravy.

[savardandjokinen]

Wouldn't have been happy with this signing if he were to stick in the NHL

Happy with it as I expect he'll play 5-10 games with us and the rest with Stockton

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

How does guaranteed money work if he’s got a 2 way deal? If he spends the whole year in the A, he still gets 225k? But then what’s the point of an AHL salary that’s lower?

I assume that at the end of the season, they'll figure out how much he made in total combined between the NHL and AHL (assuming he gets some time in the NHL). If it's less than his guarantee, he'll get a cheque to top him up. If the total is at least the minimum, he'll get nothing extra.


I would guess it's mostly psychological by helping the player feel like he got a win in the negotiations.

Also, when the time comes to recall a player, the GM might look at the numbers and think, "we're already paying this guy as if he's going to play a couple of weeks in the NHL anyway, so we might as well recall him", rather than recalling a different AHLer who doesn't have the guaranteed money.


If my math is right, I believe Rinaldo could spend up to 18 days in the NHL over the course of the season without it costing the Flames any extra money because of the guaranteed minimum.